Anniversaries

Anniversaries

Hi everyone. Well, I just noticed that just a few days ago was the 10th anniversary since mom died. When I realized this it hit me hard. Not negatively hard, but just with more influence than any of the other years. Who knows why. So, I was just wondering if you guys had any interest in posting any pictures or more importantly memories about mom, so the we can share and remember her a little. Hope you don't mind me bringing up a not so fun thing, but I couldn't help myself. I really felt a need, and would love you guys to feed my need with some memories. So, lets see if I can come up with a memory for you.

Well known...the I am going to pee my pants, cant stop laugh. Gotta love the memory of that one!
Less well known...I don't know who got to see mom exercising with her Denise Austin video and home aid step but it was the best. She did it daily for a long time. She loved Denise!

Survey of the day

Ok, this picture has nothing to do with my survey. I just like having a picture, and we're just so doggone happy that Jared's bottom tooth *FINALLY* came out!

Here's my survey for the day--something I was talking about with one of my friends. I've been surprised to see how strong of responses people have to this topic. I'll post my thoughts later.

What do you call your in-laws? Did they want you to call them something different in the beginning? Why did you choose what you chose?

What did your in-laws call their in-laws?

When you have married children what will you want their spouses to call you?

Do you think there is regional/cultural variation in what people expect their sons & daughters in law to call them?

Do you think there was for our parents?

Jeff, I seemed to have missed something yesturday

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3873486638338149608&q=happy+birthday&total=115714&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0


Sorry, I don't know how to do the actual video

Tribute to Pres. Hinckley

Hey guys, here is a great link to Glen Becks tribute to President Hinckley. I don't know a ton about Glenn Beck, except that Brent really likes listening to him. Anyways. It was good to listen to.

http://www.glennbeck.com/content/articles/article/200/5127/

countertops?

This is nowhere near as exciting as Grant's news.

But I need your help.

Take a look at these laminate samples and tell me what you like best with the cabinet!

Also tell me why!

Super Secret News - AND I MEAN IT!!!

Here's the skinny sports fans. I'm home from OCS after completion of phase one (of three) to get my knee healed up a might. Sage gives me a present in a Macy's box, socks or something. So here's the picture. NOT ONE WORD TO ANYONE!!! Her side of the family is superstitious. Me, I have a hard time keeping a secret this good. Sorry for the ugly face, it's all I've got.

SERIOUS, DON'T CALL (about this), DON'T CONGRATULATE, NOTHING!!! I'll let you know when the coast is clear. Time in the oven? 2-5weeks.

Death of a Hero

Just yesterday, I was beginning to read in Mosiah when my mind wandered. I began to think about what President Hinkley would tell all of us in his last days. I decided he would say much of what King Benjamin had said. Then I decided that President Hinkley had already done this repeatedly - left us with his words of wisdom and love.

If you get a minute, go read through King Benjamin's last words, and let your heart hear it in President Hinkley's gravely voice.

Though I love President Monson, I will surely miss President Hinkley.

Paradises

Just to illustrate my point, here are a few pictures, the first two are Bali, Indonesia, the next three are Thailand, Phuket (poo-ket). But Hawaii is pretty, too. Just SUPER expensive.

Will Watson - Requested Picture

I was talking to Ben earlier and Will joined the conversation. Ben requested a current picture. Here is the most recent. We hope he hasn't been into my meds...

Just kidding, here is the more accurate picture of Will:

Two girls and a boy

I have finally captured on film for your viewing pleasure the illusive benious's hotess maximus! She's awesome!!! And Cali way to cute in bun and standard dancing apparel.

Walmart Safety

So Maria and I were walking through a Walmart in Idaho Falls. We were walking by as section and saw something rather weird. Can you pick it out?


























If you weren't able to here is a zoomed in version.
There are stinkin Chainsaws hanging from the ceiling!!!!!!!

A big "thank you!" Pretty inspiring!

calling for advice

So, I need advice. I want my house to have a good spirit. However, that seems to be an impossible achievement. "Why?" you may ask. Well. In one word I would describe it as "HUNTER." The kids seems unable 85% of the time to be capable to say anything without a negative edge to his voice. Also, he is so sure of himself, that it makes him sure that no one else can do anything the right way (mostly Lilly) and he must make sure to tell her of each of these things, in a condescending edgy voice "Well...You can't do..." I would say that maybe I am an example of these qualities. However, I truly feel like I try to use a kind or at least a level voice. And I definitely don't call attention to everything that the kids cannot do correctly, nor do I try with the adults in our household. I am constantly so frustrated. It helps that Hunter is in full day Kindergarten, however, it just starts the minute he returns home (or wakes up in the morning) if he is actually interacting with the family. So, I risk everyone thinking my son is a beast and that I am a failure parent in hopes of hopefully getting some ideas.

Sewing diva

Well, Jenny is at it again. The last week or so, she's been jamming on the sewing machine. Thanks again for the seat, Marg. It is awesome, and has a fresh, new look. Donor material came from my old Marine Corps cammies, along with name tapes and an apache patch for good measure. I helped a little bit, to bolster the little awning with some jerry rigged plastic and coat hanger, but Jenny's artwork is the real deal.
In other news, that Cali monster continues to baffle me with her ability to grow both mentally and physically. Closing in on 28 months, she can be the sweetest girl. She quotes movie lines, sings a bunch of church songs... color me impressed. What a great girl. Jenny still has a month or so to go. She is definitely 'Mama-hottie'!
Does North Carolina have sand like the last picture? No sir, it does not. A softer, whiter sand you will not find. Destin, Fla. is truly a reunion place in the waiting.

KItchen pics

Hey everyone. Well, I posted some pictures of our kitchen project on our statt blog. So, I had wanted to put them here too but the kids are going wild, so I will post one sneak peak, and then you can click on the like on the right to "Laila's blog" and see the rest.

new job

Somehow i have finished college... almost.
I'm looking for employment in with my Technical Management (automotive) degree, and what i am finding is that i can easily start as a Service Adviser.
i figured i'd pick the family brains with a question:
What are the best and worst aspects of dealing with a service adviser?

you can help me be a good one, i think.

thanks,
Sam.

P.S. I'm not a graduate yet. somehow i have failed to go to the required fine arts exhibits . i'll have my actual BA degree after this semester... how sad.

Yes, his name is Mahonri

So tonight I got a very curious call from Laila, who wanted to know all about the guy I'm dating. She asked for pictures, so Laila, here you go. :)

This is the two of us with my roommate Sara at a fun little place in Rexburg.

NO that is not an engagement picture. (My roommate took a bunch of pictures of us on this bridge when we first started dating and EVERYONE thinks they're engagement pictures. They're not. They're just nice pictures!)

So now you've seen him. He's a really awesome guy!

Great Idea

Well Andra and I had the greatest idea of the decade today. Brent and I are going to sell here and go live in their basement right next to dad and Ramona. We could finish it for them. It would be the perfect polygamist type (without the shared husband) relationship in the world. We also figure out that this way I will be able to keep having children while she stops, and she can play with my kids! I mean, it has 3 bedrooms and a bathroom, potentially a kitchen, its own pantry. All it lack is a washer dryer hookup. Big deal. Who needs clean clothes anyways. I am sure she will share with me! Oh well, it may be a dream but it was a fun conversation non the less

Beach Pictures

I think that while we have our own professional photographer, we should plan a 6 year old kid's beach picture. This time we will have all of them there but Suzie. We could always photoshop her in! Should we start keeping an eye out for matching bathing suits?

Aaand...

Who would believe this little girl is turning eight this year?? For everyone's information, and if anyone would like to come, Elaina's baptism is most likely going to take place on Saturday the 7th of June. We just attended the stake baptism preview and she is so excited. And I can't believe #1- my baby is old enough to be baptized, and #2- I'm old enough to have a baby get baptized!

Happy Birthday to Carter!

Well, Carter is now, officially, six. Yesterday, the 14th, was his real birthday, but the party was tonight. And let me tell you- this was the party place to end all party places! Wouldn't you say, Andra? The staff served the pizza, played games with the kids, cleaned up the messes, and even wrote you lists of all the gifts your child received. They even carted all our stuff out to the car afterward! All I had to do was bring a cake and take pictures. Awesome. Not to mention the inflatable bouncy toys, themed rooms with fog machines and a balloon artist. SO cool.

blogged up?

Hey everyone, again. I don't want to be a complete blog hog, so I thought it was time to start a blog for our family here. Don't worry, I won't stop giving you guys interesting tidbits, but I figured I should have a place just to write, the good, the bad, or the ugly!!! So, here is the address...

www.thestrattsdaybyday.blogspot.com

Home Depot Anyone

Hi everyone. Well, you know of all the work we have done here, at least you have heard of it, but we wanted to show you our stash of Home Depot receipts. Unfortunately this is not all of them. I finally threw these away last year sometime, and we've made many trips to both home depot and Lowes since. I think that we will go on the HD website and see if we can send this in a get a free shopping spree!

Need help from dad asap

Dad, we are really having some big problems with Joshua now. Not only are his eyes popping out of his eye sockets but it seems like he has now gotten some weird rash. Please please please help us. We just don't know what to do!!! Can you recommend a dr. for this problem we are having?

Amazing Marzipan Babies

Have you seen these? These tiny babies are made of marzipan, a kind of candy made of almond frosting. Amazing! Andra, maybe you could do something like this for your next wedding cake!? (I understand the first one can come any time. All others take about 9 months!)

Getting Ready to Say Goodbye to the Old Homestead

Thought you'd like to see what Grampa has been doing today. He's getting the swing re-hung for the little children who will be moving into our house :(

Don{t you hate it when.....

You have a question- and that happens instead of a question mark,
When you want to write a semi colon and get ñ instead
and although these{{{{ bring back memories of how mom drew faces in profile, Sometime I really might want to use my quotation marks again!
So Jeff, knower of all things computer, why are my buttons suddenly screwy_ _ _ _ _!
PS. I really did not just swear. For a refresher, that is my question mark!!!

Politics Heating Up

Just wanted to give you all a website I found. I have been watching every debate when they have happened, and although some points get repetitive it has been great so far. This website has links to all debates both democratic and republican. If you wanna see any of them feel free. Love you guys.



WATCH DEBATES

Here is the soon-to-be six-year-old with our Mr. Snowman. Carter and I built him after school the other day. We've had so much snow, and we just love it! Carter and Elaina were out sledding the other night until 8:00. Carter comes home from school, eats lunch as fast as he can, and he's out in the snow on his sled again. Can we say, "like father, like son," anyone? I think we're going to have another snowboarding addict on our hands. Meanwhile, while everyone is nestled all snug in their beds tonight, think of Jeff, somewhere up on Timp, on the Klondike with his 11 and 12-yr. old scouts. I hope he stays warm and returns with all his toes.

Better late thankful than never

Well, here are our very late pictures of the Pace/Stratton Thanksgiving. We had a great short weekend together full of eating, sleeping, cooking, eating, sleeping, shopping, baking, sleeping and eating. hhmmm. Did I miss anything. Oh yeah, there were also some historical visits here or there and some nature walks. Anyways, it was so much fun, so here are some pics to enjoy.